Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. You know this Dr. Who spin-off aims to please when the return of Capt. Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) isn't even the big news.... With [Capt.] John [James Marsters] adding such a fun, unhinged element, it's a shame these two crazy kids broke up in the first place.
  2. 80
    Torchwood enlivens Saturdays, which has become a desert for viewers.
  3. 80
    In a dreary winter TV landscape in which smart, witty escapism is in short supply, Torchwood stands out.
  4. Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    80
    As bizarre as things can get, Torchwood still feels more like sci than fi, and more ego/id than alien vs. human. The Gwen character in particular radiates intelligence, and empathy, and curiosity, about what's out there and what lies inside Jack. We can't help but share her, um, enthusiasm.
  5. With the start of season two, it looks like the expectations might finally meet the reality--or however real a show with aliens and time travel can get.
  6. Torchwood gets off to a lighter, more rousing start in its second season premiere.
  7. Torchwood-- the "Doctor Who" spinoff that was a breakout sci-fi hit last year--is back Saturday with new episodes that are as smart, sassy and sexy as ever.
  8. 75
    The playful and creative scripts are pretty fun. The good-looking cast is solid, led by Barrowman, a graduate of Joliet West High. The special effects are iffy. It's no "Buffy," but like "Buffy" it's getting better with age. It's not hard to imagine it could be must-watch TV by season four.
  9. Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    75
    As with P.G. Wodehouse novels and Robbie Williams songs, you have to be either British or adolescent to commit to this stuff; for the rest of us, it's a head-scratching lark.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 5 out of 19
  1. Much of the (often severe) problems with the first season are fixed with this excellent follow up. Really coming into its own with a more consistent, if somewhat pulpy, tone; there is still the occasional hammy line or ridiculous storyline but Torchwood Series 2 is far tighter than its less than stellar debut series and certain episodes (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Meat, Adam, Adrift and Fragments) are truly excellent. Even the weakest episodes here are worth watching (unlike some of the frankly hideous episodes from the first series) and believe me when I say that it only gets better in Series 3. Full Review »
  2. ChrisB
    10
    I love this. Doctor who has gone downhill now but I still have Torchwood to give me the thrill of science fiction/ action at it's best.
  3. JulesHl
    0
    Wow.... where to start. The acting is more wooden than a forest, i think this stems from a terrible clunky script and the 'panto' style over-acting of the lead characters. To add insult to injury the show was commissioned for ANOTHER series. Sigh, i'm paying for this ####! I wonder if the recommisioning has anything to do with the fact that the shows' Executive Producer (Julie Gardner) is now also the overall Controller of Drama Commissioning at BBC Television. Sadly i heard the Radio 4 show of torchwood today (R4 is on all the time in my house) and i was cringing at the script and voice acting. There are better actors out there, USE THEM PLEASE!!!!!! Please NO MORE Julie, i'm begging you. Full Review »